Souvenir Knives!

[r8shell]

Whenever my father is planning one of his cruises, I'll say, "Have fun, and bring me a knife!" He just looks at me like I'm crazy. "Where would I find a knife for sale?"

I'm not asking him to go to knife shops, but I remember when cheap souvenir knives were to be found for sale alongside the postcards and hats, etc. at the tacky tourist shops everywhere you went. Usually very small and cheap, sometimes attached to a key-ring. Often shell construction with pictures of the local "places of interest"


Most I've seen are either made by Imperial, Colonial, or are unmarked. (from tourist areas in the USA) This one from Sea Isle City, stamped "Ideal K.Co." is pretty old, possibly 1920s vintage.


I know they're sort of cheesy, but they make me feel nostalgic. Anyone else have some? Let's see them!

 

[waynorth]

Given to customers for promotion, so not exactly touristy, but Campagna&Sons was an importer and wholesale grocer. Serviced the private and corner grocery stores that eventually got squeezed out by the big guys (Loblaws, Safeway etc.). It was the family business, and provided income for my Nonno, my Father, and my aunts and uncles!
Syracuse Knife Co (Camillus)!

 

[Dschal]

Oh that's great Charlie!

 

[abbydaddy]

I don't have a classic one, but I do have one that I picked up at a conference in Fairbanks. I usually get T-shirts, but this time I decided to pick up a scrimshawed Rough Rider:

 

[waynorth]

Giveaway to good customers of a knife seller - back in '77!!

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Subscribed, I'm a collector of Advertising knives, a similar theme in cheap knives usually given away as prizes or as a premium gift for saving bar codes or points from a label.

Here's a few of my advertisers :

 

[Ernie1980]

I like advertising knives, but tend to go for the metal ones to avoid cell covers and their outgassing problems.

 

[willard0341]

I usually try to get a smashed penny for nostalgia... Always one eye out for a knife though.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Used to always see them miniature bowie knives with the leather belt sheaths. They were tiny, I can't imagine them even fittin' on a belt but they were at every tourist trap and truck stop. Usually sittin' next to the leather wallet kits. I used to have a bunch of 'em but only have a couple left, I'll see if I can find them. They usually had the destination stamped into the sheath.

 

[r8shell]

I usually try to get a smashed penny for nostalgia... Always one eye out for a knife though.

Ha! I've got a few of those around here somewhere.
This site lists where all the penny-smashing machines are.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Cool link r8shell, thanks. Whenever I go to the change counter it always spits out a few. For some reason they fascinate me and I can rationalize spending 4 bits for a smushed penny .

 

[Jack Black]

Ooh I love souvenir knives, advertising knives too, though I think they're a bit different Richards made a lot of both kinds here, Harrison Fisher too. I'll have to see what I have pics of

Ha! I've got a few of those around here somewhere.
This site lists where all the penny-smashing machines are.

We have a few of those here too!

 

[Jack Black]

Here's an old Richards, the sort you brought back for granny after a day at the seaside

 

[Old Hunter]

One of my favorites - IKCO letter opener - pocketknife - use it everyday. Gift several years ago from a fellow knife collector. I remember seeing the tourist advertisers that Rachel mentioned when I was a boy in the 1960's - some I remember (but never bought) were in Washington DC at the souvenir kiosks around the National Mall and at the Outer Banks (I remember seeing one with the old nag that was the symbol of Nags Head NC). OH

 

[Jack Black]

Some more Richards souvenir knives







A few I've gifted to other members

 

[Jack Black]

I received this one, made by Bowman & Pike of Sheffield, from our man in New Zealand @Campbellclanman

 

[Jack Black]

Some special souvenir knives gifted to me by the always generous Charlie waynorth

 

[Jack Black]

Few more

 

[r8shell]

Here's an old Richards, the sort you brought back for granny after a day at the seaside

Exactly the type of knife I'm thinking of, Jack.

Nice! That's a fancier souvenir than I ever saw for sale at the roadside gift shops. The Eiffel Tower knife is nifty, too!

 

[Jack Black]

Exactly the type of knife I'm thinking of, Jack.
Nice! That's a fancier souvenir than I ever saw for sale at the roadside gift shops. The Eiffel Tower knife is nifty, too!

Thanks Rachel, just one of many great knives Charlie has gifted me Here's the pile side of that one